"We want to make the vocational education a system of choice, attracting even the brighter students," he said, speaking at the 2011 International Skills Conference at the Putra World Trade Centre here on Monday.

He said vocational education was important, and students would be exposed to it from Form One upwards.

Students would also receive vocational certification along with SPM certification.

Subramaniam explained that the Higher Education Ministry was also in talks with several universities to discuss giving out degrees in learned skills instead of diplomas so that vocational school graduates could have both the paper qualifications and necessary hands-on experience.

"I hope it will jive with the private sector so we can obtain synergy," he told delegates at the two-day conference.

"Exposing students to vocational education at a young age allows them to continue... By 2020, 60% of employment will be skills-based."

Speaking to reporters at a press conference later, the minister also said that the Government and the World Bank were currently conducting a study on Malaysia's human resources and what areas to focus on.

"It aims to assess supply and demand," he said, saying a preliminary report had already been prepared.